The Lido Civic Club of Washington, D.C. held its annual Past Presidents Night Gala on Nov. 22, 2024, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. This year’s honoree was Senator Rick Santorum. The Lido Civic Club was organized in the Fall of 1929, when it became evident to concerned business and professional men and government officials of Italian descent that they had to organize a civic club to gain proper recognition and effectively make their voices heard in civic and municipal circles.

They also wanted to make positive contributions and build good relationships in their community.

In its 95^th year of existence, the Lido Club’s focus is and has been for many years on reaching out to organization and providing support via grants of over 16 organizations, such as the Aleethia Foundation in its Wounded Warriors rehabilitation program, the Villa Rosa Nursing Home, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, Easterseals, the Casa Italiana Language School, the “All Out For Change” empowering financially disadvantaged students to pursue their aspirations, DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Foundation, and Kids in need Distribution (KIND) providing weekend support for Montogomery County School Children. This year the Lido Club awarded $95,000 to deserving organization such as those mentioned above.

In addition to supporting charitable organizations, the club awarded $123,000 in undergraduate college scholarships to 14 deserving Italian-American students. The Lido Club has awarded $1,136,000 in college scholarships since 2002.

This year, the Lido Club, has honored Senator Rick Santorum as the club’s Man of the Year. Rick Santorum has dedicated his life to public service beginning his career in 1990 when he was elected to the first of 2 terms representing Pennsylvania’s 18^th district in the House of Representatives.

In 1994, Rick won election to the U.S. Senate. He was the youngest elected senator in Pennsylvania history. He was elected to a second term in 2000. In 2012, Senator Santorum ran for President of the United States. He was the first Italian American to win a state in a presidential primary, winning a total of 10 states, finishing second to Mitt Romney.

Rick is an accomplished author, having written four books, including a NY Times best-seller, It Takes a Family. During his speech accept the award as the Lido Club’s Man of Year Senator Santorum emphasized the need for on-going faith and the importance of family, and the need for moral precepts in public policy.

It was with Great Satisfaction that the Lido Club awarded Senator Santorum the honor of Man of the Year.